Great Strides: 'My favourite place to run in the world is ... "
Thank you to everyone who shared their answers and photos for the Great Strides contest last week, in which we asked: "Where in the world is your favourite place to run and why?"
It was a tough decision to pick just one winner, but we were mesmerised by 39-year-old Chang Tshung-hui's description of Mongolia. He wins a travel package for two to Beijing worth HK$8,000, including return economy flights and two nights at Mercure Wanshang Beijing with daily breakfast, courtesy of travel agency group Flight Centre.
This is what he said: "My favourite place to run in the world is the grasslands of Inner Mongolia. I like this place so much that it is the only destination that I make the effort of travelling to each year. My annual pilgrimage started as a participant in the Genghis Khan Grassland Extreme Marathon. It has a unique setting on small packed sand and dirt trails across the grass plains around Xiwuzhumuqinqi.
"I like the wilderness and tranquillity of the vast grasslands that were once traversed by the legendary Genghis Khan and his horsemen. It does not take long for one to feel the conquering spirit of Khan. I experienced a herd of horses galloping past during my maiden run. It was an amazing human-meets-beast moment. There was no danger, as they have been galloping on these grasslands for years and run around creatures in their path.
"After an exhausting day, one gets to experience the hospitality of the Mongolian people, who invite you for a hearty meal in their homes.